Holder, addressing the Muslim Advocates's Annual Dinner in San
Francisco, defended the sting that resulted in the arrest of Mohamed
Osman Mohamud, a Somali-born teenager who allegedly wanted to detonate
a bomb at a Christmas tree lighting in Portland, Ore.

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Mohamud was one of several sting operations Holder's Justice
Department conducted in 2010 where would-be terrorists who thought they
were communicating with international extremists were actually talking
to federal officers.

Some in the Muslim community have expressed concern over the
arrests that have resulted, making accusations of entrapment or
profiling.

"I make no apologies for the how the FBI agents
handled their work in executing the operation that led to Mr. Mohamud's
arrest," Holder said. "Their efforts helped to identify a person who
repeatedly expressed his desire and intention to kill innocent
Americans."

Holder said the sting operations, similar to one that helped nab a
would-be bomber of Washington's Metro system earlier this year, "have
proven to be an essential law enforcement tool in uncovering and
preventing potential terror attacks."

"Because of law enforcement's outstanding work, Mr. Mohamud is no
longer plotting attacks," Holder said. "He is now behind bars. And he
will be brought to justice."

Holder defended the outreach his
department has engaged in with Muslim communities in the U.S., noting
that his office indicted more people for hate crimes than in any year
since 1996 and convicted more hate crime perpetrators than in any year
since 2000.

"When it comes to combating these heinous crimes, our message is
simple: If you engage in violence fueled by bigotry — no matter the
object or nature of your hate — we will bring you to justice," Holder
said.

Holder also noted the restoration of the Civil Rights Division
within DOJ, saying he wants to end the "us versus them" notion felt by
some Muslim Americans toward the U.S. government.

"The
Department's commitment to civil rights has never been stronger,"
Holder said. "And the prosecution of violence motivated by religious
intolerance has been — and will continue to be — a priority."